In this first film version of William Shakespeare's classic pastoral comedy, Sir Laurence Olivier stars as Orlando while Elisabeth Bergner is Rosalind, his secret admirer who disguises herself as a boy in order to stay near to him.
Nearly all of the actors involved had performed the work on stage previously, adding to the stellar overall performance.
A particular highlight is Olivier's magnificent delivery of the famous "All the world's a stage..." monologue.
Reviewer:Big Boomer
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March 12, 2017 Subject:
Master Camera Work
Jack Cardiff was the camera operator for this production and he is probably the finest ever. His career spanned from silent movies into the 21st century. He won two Oscars, a Golden Globe and was knighted an OBE for his work.
He also directed a number of very successful films beginning in the 1950s. His best known work was probably "Sons and Lovers" (seven Oscar nominations). He won a Golden Globe Award for "Freddie Francis".
You can watch this documentary of his career: "Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff" (2010).
Cardiff was born in 1914 and passed away still active at 94 in 2009. He was an amazing artist who deserves to be recognized for his creative genius.
Sit back and as you watch this film, consider his significant contribution to the production.
Reviewer:TheGlobalVagabond
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November 6, 2013 Subject:
So love this movie!
I can't believe I had never seen it - although I did see Kathryn Hepburn in the Berger role at the Pasadena Playhouse when I was a pre-teen (didn't know what a privilege that was at the time). Olivier is unbelievably charming and Elizabeth Bergner has the most natural and infectious laugh I have ever seen on stage or screen! Why wasn't she in more movies?
Reviewer:rclo
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June 13, 2012 Subject:
Wrong Olivier
The descriptor of the film states: "A particular highlight is Olivier's magnificent delivery of the famous 'All the world's a stage...' monologue."
Sorry, that's not Olivier. However, the film does showcasethe young Olivier's stunning good looks.
On the story, itself, it requires extreme suspension of disbelief to accept that any man could be fooled by the object of his desires into not recognizing her even though her only "disguise" is men's clothing. She still wears lipstick, for crying out loud. Add to that, her feminine voice and, as noted, distinctive accent, and I found myself wondering if Olivier's character was just playing along with her.
This must have been a hoot in Shakespeare's day, when men played all of the parts - a man playing a woman pretending to be a man acting as a proxy for a woman.
Reviewer:ppcraig
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December 25, 2011 Subject:
Bergner is wonderful
Bergner's been forgotten in modern times. I was struck by her wonderful accent -- which reviewers of the time didn't like, and which I didn't initially realize is German. She's the star of the show. Olivier is great. Bergner is even greater
Reviewer:lonelee1
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March 1, 2011 Subject:
wonderful print lovely production
wonderful print lovely production
spend an easy hour in the forest of arden
does anyone know anything about this beautiful castle?